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Two-variable data: Models and scatterplots SAT question

Math · Problem-Solving and Data Analysis · Easy · Answer it here, explanation included.

The figure presents a scatterplot in the x y plane. The numbers 0 through 5, in increments of 1, are indicated along the x-axis. The numbers 0 through 6, in increments of 1, are indicated along the y-axis. There are 11 data points in the scatterplot. The data points begin on the y-axis at 6, and trend almost linearly downward and to the right. The data points end at the point with coordinates 5 comma 1.

Which of the following could be an equation for a line of best fit for the data in the scatterplot?

ExplanationShow

Choice A is correct. A line of best fit for the data in a scatterplot is a line that follows the trend of the data with approximately half the data points above and half the data points below the line. Based on the given data, a line of best fit will have a positive y-intercept on or near the point $with coordinates 0 comma 6$ and a negative slope. All of the choices are in slope-intercept form $y equals, m x plus b$ , where m is the slope and b is the y-coordinate of the y-intercept. Only choice A is an equation of a line with a positive y-intercept at $the point with coordinates 0 comma 6$ and a negative slope, $negative 1$ .

Choice B is incorrect. This equation is for a line that has a negative y-intercept, not a positive y-intercept. Choices C and D are incorrect and may result from one or more sign errors and from switching the values of the y-intercept and the slope in the equation.

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Two-variable data: Models and scatterplots SAT question

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